TexRex wrote in post #8306909
Hi guys and gals. I just made a big switch from a D700 to a 5DMKII and trying to build up a prime collection similar to my Nikon set up. Canon prime's I have had:
-85mm 1.2L II (Not sharp wide open, sold)
-50mm 1.4 (Not sharp wide open, sold)
-135mm f2L (Sharp and the only one I still have)
-24mm 1.4 I (Not sharp wide open,sold)
-100mm 2.8 Macro (Sharp)
I am trying to search on the forum and the net but have not been too successful. I spent good money on these Canon lenses hoping that they would be sharp wide open as the equivalent Nikon sizes were great wide open. Can I have some recommendations for primes that are shop wide open? Possibly the 200mm 2.8L II?
Thanks in advance!
Yes, wide open the 135L and 100 macro are very sharp. However, the 135L is an F/2, the 100 macro is an F/2.8. That is 1 and 2 stops, and 1 1/3 and 2 1/3 stops less fast than the other lenses, and hence make those faster lenses potentially look less good.
The 85L is very good wide open, but gets more than excellent at F/2, and remains so till F/11. The 24 F/1.4 was the best lens in its category, until the Mk II came along.
Did you try Micro Focus Adjustment on the 5D II to get the most out of those lenses? Also, at 21 MP and pixel peeping lenses will look less sharp than at 12 MP. I'd suggest using a similar real magnification, as compared to sensor size.
The only lens where I really agree with your findings is the 50 F/1.4. That indeed is not very sharp wide open. It needs F/2.8 to become excellent. BTW, from my experience it performs about the same as the Nikon MF equivalent. Just that the Nikon is built better.
Other sharp Canon primes are the 14 F/2.8L Mk II, the TS-E 17 F/4L, the TS-E 24 F/3.5L Mk II, the 35 F/1.4L, the 50 F/1.2L (slightly soft at F/1.2, extremely sharp at F/2), 200 F/2.8L Mk II, 200 F/2L, and any of the longer primes, especially the fast ones.
Kind regards, Wim